Connecting Communities, Businesses, and People
By Destiny Haggett
Sitting down with Rod Davis makes you feel quickly at ease. His effortless calm demeanor and confidence are immediately apparent. His ability to connect with others is a product of his natural gifts and his 39 years of serving the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In OutClique’s conversation with Rod, it is evident that he is intuitive and quickly understands a person’s intent and motivation, an increasingly rare commodity in today’s society. These traits and hard work make him a tremendous asset to the South Florida Community as CEO of the BBB, serving both Southeast Florida and the Caribbean.
Rod’s dedication to the community does not end as the South Florida and Caribbean BBB leader. He is actively involved in many organizations, currently heading the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, (DEIA) Committee for the International Association of BBB, encouraging diversity because, as he put it, “It is not just good for business, but because it is the right thing to do.”
Rod has previously served on the board of UVA Queer Alumni and is a big supporter and advocate for Wounded Warrior Project, recently partnering with the Florida Panthers and local businesses for a fundraising event. Just this last year was involved with all the BBBs across North America supporting Young Musicians Unite, a nonprofit that helps youth improve their self-esteem, academic achievements, and goals by making music programs available to all young people. Mr. Davis is a natural leader and a wealth of information, pointing out in our conversation resources like Guidestar.org to research a charities or organization’s impact report allowing for personal research before donating funds.
OutClique got the opportunity to do a Q&A with Rod to learn more about the man behind the most important resource for local businesses in the area, and here is what we learned:
Destiny Haggett: What would you say your leadership style is?
Rod Davis: Set goals, develop plans, measure success, and have fun. There is always so much buzz about the latest approach and business speak that the basics are too often lost. I like to find people who are mission-driven and confident but team-oriented and open to feedback and continuous growth.
Destiny Haggett: It is apparent diversity is important to you. How do you achieve that in the better business bureau and in all the organizations you serve?
Rod Davis: Like so many people of my generation, I grew up in a closeted time. We know what it is like not to be visible or recognized except in derogatory terms. I previously lived in Washington, DC, and moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 2015. My family is from West Virginia, and living in dynamic and diverse markets adds tremendously to one’s life experience. When I was first coming out in DC, many of my closest friends were minorities, and just as the tagline from one of my favorite movies, His Secret Life, “some of the best families are made with friends.” We learned and supported each other, and sharing foods, culture, and experiences, in addition to friendship, opened my eyes to communities and challenges I had never considered.
Destiny Haggett: What do you think the greatest challenge to a business serving a very diverse community is?
Rod Davis: Businesses, like people, have varying degrees of exposure to diversity. Sometimes, a negative experience scares people and businesses from attempting to reach out and embrace all people. Even within the LGBTQ+ community, there is constant change (e.g., use of the word queer, proper gender pronouns, etc.), and many times, there are differences in opinion that are often associated with other diversity factors like age. I still don’t use the word queer, although many younger community members embrace it. I encourage businesses to be open and try to reach our wonderfully diverse community, and at the same time, I ask all communities to be more understanding when a good attempt misses the mark; these can be teachable moments if handled well, and rather than lambasting a business owner who is trying, let’s thank them and help them improve.
Destiny Haggett: Can you speak to the changes and transformations you have witnessed in your career to LGBTQ+ owned businesses and how this community has been served over the years?
Rod Davis: Over the course of my life, I have seen so much change. We had moved from a time when most people remained in the closet and very few businesses supported LGBTQ+ employees, businesses, and customers to a time when our dollars and our contributions are valued. We still have more work to gain full equality, but it truly is the minority who seeks to deny equality. So much of our success is tied to the words and approach Harvey Milk promoted. It is essential that we all come out so those who love us know and support us, and those with whom we work and associate see our community as a vital contributor. Role models play a big part in gaining support for us, and whether it is Tim Cook at Apple or Jim Fitterling at Dow, each new successful LGBTQ+ individual makes the next person to step up from our community more likely to be chosen and more likely to be successful.
It is essential that our business leaders and businesses continue to support important causes, not just for the LGBTQ+ community but the communities where they are located. Building strong partnerships that make our overall community thrive builds bonds between all community groups.
Destiny Haggett: When you meet a new business owner unfamiliar with what the BBB does, what key points would you like them to know?
Rod Davis: The first thing I usually have to say is that we are not a government agency. We are a local nonprofit organization committed to helping our business community employ best practices, gather feedback from consumer experiences, and help consumers find businesses who have earned their trust based on the community data shared with BBB.
Destiny Haggett: What brings you the most Joy?
Rod Davis: My BBB team brings me the most joy. We are fortunate to have a team that loves supporting our community and loves and cares for their colleagues. I also feel accomplished to see a business grow and flourish because they do what is right for the business, their customers, and the community. Once companies prioritize the relationship with the customer, not the individual transaction, they are more likely to achieve positive results.
Destiny Haggett: How do you measure success for a new business outside of profitability?
Rod Davis: Each business is as unique as the owner. I appreciate the opportunity to step into businesses in all industries to learn about their inspiration for starting the business, their goals, and what they believe equates to success. Some businesses prioritize purpose and profit. These businesses are most compelling. 4Ocean is an example of a type of business with a purpose integrated into everything they do. Their commitment is to pull a pound of trash from the ocean for each item sold. Some businesses focus on goals that, while smaller in scale, may have more importance to some people. Hiring veterans or people with autism is a goal for some businesses in our area, and each new hire makes a difference in someone’s life. BBB4Good is a test program we are piloting locally to find and share these businesses with consumers.
Destiny Haggett: What are upcoming projects you are working on that have you excited?
Rod Davis: We are currently working on our Business Engage Summit, featuring the BBB Torch Awards that will be held on August 23rd, 2023. We will have a chance to share some of the best ideas and processes to make our businesses successful and highlight businesses built on Character, Culture, Customers, and Community. We also support a local nonprofit group/organization each year, and this year will be supporting Junior Achievement of South Florida.
OutClique’s time with Rod was enlightening and refreshing. With so many accomplishments, one would think he would have a hard time answering the question, “What are you most proud of?” but he was quick to answer that question with “My Husband, Diego.” talking with great love and admiration about Diego’s accomplishments and the challenges he has faced since migrating to the United States at seventeen. It was a humble and unsurprising answer from a man who has spent his life pursuing inclusion and opportunities for all. It would be a challenging endeavor to find a more accomplished CEO with as much heart and love for their fellow humans as Rod Davis.
To learn about our local Better Business Bureau and the services provided visit https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/south-florida.
